In brief
In a significant move, the University of Florida has deactivated its College Republicans registered student group after reports of members engaging in antisemitism. This decision comes on the heels of an investigation into a Miami-based Republican group's antisemitic and racist conduct. The Florida Federation of College Republicans decided to disband the Gainesville chapter, highlighting ongoing concerns over conduct that breaches the organization’s values. University officials have stated they will support the reactivation of the chapter under new leadership once the situation is resolved.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The University of Florida says it’s deactivating the campus College Republicans as a registered student group after being notified that some members engaged in antisemitism.
The deactivation effort at the University of Florida campus marks the second time this month that a public university in Florida has taken action against a Republican group accused of being involved in racist or antisemitic behavior.
Earlier this month, Florida International University in Miami launched an investigation into a group chat started by an official with the Miami-Dade chapter of the Republican Party that included violently racist slurs, antisemitic comments and misogynistic language. The chat involved students and several top conservative leaders at Florida International University.
Officials at the University of Florida said over the weekend that they had been informed by the Florida Federation of College Republicans that the federation had disbanded the Gainesville campus’ chapter after determining that some members had “engaged in a pattern of conduct that violated its rules and values, including a recent antisemitic gesture.”
When the Florida Federation of College Republicans is ready, the university will assist with reactivating the campus chapter under new student leadership, UF officials said in a statement.
Last fall, New York’s Republican State Committee suspended a Young Republican organization following the release of a group chat that included jokes about rape and flippant commentary on gas chambers.
